Just like the garage computer explosion of the 70’s through the 80’s, which brought us such things as Apple, pong, Bill Gate’s hair, and the proliferation of personal computers, the maker movement is the new garage hardware explosion. Today, 135 million adults in the United States alone are involved in the maker movement.
Enthusiasts who want to build the products they want, from shortwave radios to personal computers, and to tweak products they’ve bought to make them even better, have long been a part of the electronics industry. By all measures, garage-style innovation remains alive and well today, as “makers” as they are called continue to turn out contemporary gadgets, including 3D printers, drones, and embedded electronics devices.
Making is about individual Do-It-Yourselfers being able to design and create with tools that were, as of a decade or two ago, only available to large, cash-rich corporations: CAD tools, CNC mills, 3D printers, low-quantity PCB manufacturing, open hardware such as Arduinos and similar inexpensive development boards – all items that have made it easier and relatively cheap to make whatever we imagine. For individuals, maker tools can change how someone views their home or their hobbies. The world is ours to make. Humans are genetically wired to be makers. The maker movement is simply the result of making powerful building and communication tools accessible to the masses. There are plenty of projects from makers that show good engineering: Take this Arduino board with tremendous potential, developed by a young maker, as example.
The maker movement is a catalyst to democratize entrepreneurship as these do-it-yourself electronics are proving to be hot sellers: In the past year, unit sales for 3D printing related products; Arduino units, parts and supplies; Raspberry Pi boards; drones and quadcopters; and robotics goods are all on a growth curve in terms of eBay sales. There are many Kickstarter maker projects going on. The Pebble E-Paper Watch raises $10 million. The LIFX smartphone-controlled LED bulb raises $1.3 million. What do these products have in common? They both secured funding through Kickstarter, a crowd-funding website that is changing the game for entrepreneurs. Both products were created by makers who seek to commercialize their inventions. These “startup makers” iterate on prototypes with high-end tools at professional makerspaces.
For companies to remain competitive, they need to embrace the maker movement or leave themselves open for disruption. Researchers found that 96 percent of business leaders believe new technologies have forever changed the rules of business by democratizing information and rewiring customer expectations. - You’ve got to figure out agile innovation. Maybe history is repeating itself as the types of products being sold reminded us of the computer tinkering that used to be happening in the 1970s to 1990s – similar in terms of demographics, tending to be young people, and low budget. Now the do-it-yourself category is deeply intertwined with the electronics industry. Open hardware is in the center in maker movement – we need open hardware designs! How can you publish your designs and still do business with it? Open source ecosystem markets behave differently and therefore require a very different playbook than traditional tech company: the differentiation is not in the technology you build; it is in the process and expertise that you slowly amass over an extended period of time.
By democratizing the product development process, helping these developments get to market, and transforming the way we educate the next generation of innovators, we will usher in the next industrial revolution. The world is ours to make. Earlier the PC created a new generation of software developers who could innovate in the digital world without the limitations of the physical world (virtually no marginal cost, software has become the great equalizer for innovation. Now advances in 3D printing and low-cost microcontrollers as well as the ubiquity of advanced sensors are enabling makers to bridge software with the physical world. Furthermore, the proliferation of wireless connectivity and cloud computing is helping makers contribute to the Internet of Things (IoT). We’re even beginning to see maker designs and devices entering those markets once thought to be off-limits, like medical.
Image source: The world is ours to make: The impact of the maker movement – EDN Magazine
In fact, many parents have engaged in the maker movement with their kids because they know that the education system is not adequately preparing their children for the 21st century. There is a strong movement to spread this DIY idea widely. The Maker Faire, which launched in the Bay Area in California in 2006, underlined the popularity of the movement by drawing a record 215,000 people combined in the Bay Area and New York events in 2014. There’s Maker Media, MakerCon, MakerShed, Make: magazine and 131 Maker Faire events that take place throughout the world. Now the founders of all these Makers want a way to connect what they refer to as the “maker movement” online. So Maker Media created a social network called MakerSpace, a Facebook-like social network that connects participants of Maker Faire in one online community. The new site will allow participants of the event to display their work online. There are many other similar sites that allow yout to present yout work fron Hackaday to your own blog. Today, 135 million adults in the United States alone are involved in the maker movement—although makers can be found everywhere in the world.
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Tomi Engdahl says:
Datacenter UPS Heads Home For Off-Grid Power Solution
https://hackaday.com/2020/01/04/datacenter-ups-heads-home-for-off-grid-power-solution/
Tomi Engdahl says:
3D Pens Can Make Ugly Drone Parts That Almost Work
https://hackaday.com/2020/01/05/3d-pens-can-make-ugly-drone-parts-that-almost-work/
Small hobby aircraft and light plastic parts go hand in hand, and a 3D printing pen makes lightweight plastic things without the overhead of CAD work and running a 3D printer. So could a 3D pen create useful plastic bits for small quadcopters? [Michael Niggel] decided to find out by building his drone parts with a 3D pen loaded with ABS plastic. He mostly discovered that the created objects could politely be said to look like they were sketched by a toddler, but that’s not all he learned.
https://www.propwashed.com/using-a-3d-pen-for-drone-parts/
Tomi Engdahl says:
An LED Tree That Can Be Blown Out Like a Dandelion
This freeform tree consists of 16 twisted copper wire branches with LEDs.
https://www.hackster.io/news/an-led-tree-that-can-be-blown-out-like-a-dandelion-5a1130c909b0?9a1335ef5ffebb0de9d089c4182e4868
One heartwarming trend in recent years within the maker community has been electronic art such as a freeform circuits and PCB art. These projects rarely have a practical purpose, which gives makers the opportunity to design devices that exist only to satisfy their own need for creative expression.
Andrew’s LED Tree, which can be blown out like a dandelion despite lacking sensors or even a microcontroller.
A LED tree that you can blow out
https://bytechlab.com/2019/02/led-tree/
Tomi Engdahl says:
An LED you can blow out like a candle (analog circuit)
https://bytechlab.com/2018/09/an-led-you-can-blow-out-like-a-candle/
Tomi Engdahl says:
simpleFE Is an Open Source Mixed-Signal Frontend Designed for Data Conversion
https://www.hackster.io/news/simplefe-is-an-open-source-mixed-signal-frontend-designed-for-data-conversion-4602c4f8d02b
The simpleFE was designed to perform high-speed analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog conversion via a USB 2.0 (Type-B) interface.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Have you seen the open source ecology project? They have an open source tractor…
https://www.opensourceecology.org/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Inspired by the 2001 film A.I. Artificial Intelligence, James Bruton decided to convert a Tickle Me Elmo into an animatronic puppet.
Say Hello to Animatronic-Me Elmo!
https://www.hackster.io/news/say-hello-to-animatronic-me-elmo-a0345134fce3
James Bruton converted a Tickle Me Elmo into a remote-controlled robotic puppet.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Commercial T-coil systems for transmitting audio to a hearing aid can cost thousands of dollars. But you can make a DIY version pretty cheaply.
https://spectrum.ieee.org/geek-life/hands-on/a-diy-audio-induction-loop-for-the-hard-of-hearing
A little searching online uncovered some brief commentary posted by someone who installs such systems at music festivals. What he described was quite simple—creating a multiturn loop using a multiconductor wire (one for which the total resistance is between 4 and 8 ohms), and attaching it to a 200-watt audio amplifier, just as you would an 8-ohm speaker.
Before diving into this, I enlisted an older friend (a retired electrical engineer) who wears a T-coil hearing aid to perform an experiment.
Using that arrangement, I was able to convey audio to the T-coil in his hearing aid with his head about a meter and a half away (on axis) from my coil. This test was tougher than needed to assess requirements, because the magnetic field at my friend’s head was mostly horizontal, and my understanding is that T-coils are positioned to pick up vertical fields.
https://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/186923/diy-hearing-aid-t-loop-tweaking-the-resistance-of-inductance-coil
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.electricaltechnology.org/2020/01/electrical-mini-projects-ideas.html
Tomi Engdahl says:
Magnetic Levitation Simple Electrical Project
https://www.electricaltechnology.org/2012/01/simple-electrical-project-magnet.html
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.hackster.io/news/build-your-own-moog-style-synthesizer-from-affordable-components-82e35c680118
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://tech.michaelaltfield.net/2020/01/02/buskill-laptop-kill-cord-dead-man-switch/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCc6AdKjYOjNTsvr0Ichf0EA
Tomi Engdahl says:
The Options For Low Cost ROV Tethers
https://hackaday.com/2020/01/27/the-options-for-low-cost-rov-tethers/
Wireless connections are cool and all, but sometimes you just need a bit of copper. This interesting article on SV Seeker discusses the various ways of making a tether for a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). They experimented with a number of different cables, including gel-filled Cat 5 designed for burial and wrapping the cable in polypropylene rope to keep it protected and buoyant. They also looked at using a single core solid coax cable with an Ethernet to coax converter on either end wrapped in stretch webbing. The upside of using coax would be the length: it can handle over a mile of cable, which should be more than enough for this project. The downside is that they found that the coax stretches under strain, messing with the signal.
http://www.svseeker.com/wp/sv-seeker-2/underwater-rovs/open-source-towed-sonar-rov/winch-cable/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Open-Source Medical Devices Hack Chat
https://hackaday.com/2020/01/28/open-source-medical-devices-hack-chat/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Little Hex Tricks Make Little Displays A Little Easier
https://hackaday.com/2020/01/24/little-hex-tricks-make-little-displays-a-little-easier/
Tomi Engdahl says:
THAT Preamp
https://hackaday.com/2020/01/25/that-preamp/
It is easy to cobble together projects these days. ICs make it simple and microcontrollers even easier. However, we always respect a project that really goes from concept to finished product and that’s what we liked about [Curt Yengst’s] “THAT” Thing microphone preamp.
Tomi Engdahl says:
A Commmand Center For Children With Sensory Needs
https://hackaday.com/2020/01/25/a-commmand-center-for-children-with-sensory-needs/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Feel The Force With A Pocket Magnetometer
https://hackaday.com/2020/01/24/feel-the-force-with-a-pocket-magnetometer/
https://www.instructables.com/id/Portable-Magnetometer/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Building (And Testing) A DIY Air Purifier
https://hackaday.com/2020/01/29/building-and-testing-a-diy-air-purifier/
Whether it’s the usual pollution of the city, or the fact that your corner of the globe happens to be on fire currently, poor air quality is a part of daily life for many people. One way of combating this issue is with a high quality HEPA filter in your home, but unfortunately that’s not something that everyone can afford to even has access to.
Which is why [Adam Kelly] decided to design this DIY HEPA air purifier that can be built for less than $100. That might still sound like a lot of money, but compared to the $500 sticker price he was seeing for the models recommended by health officials, it’s certainly a step in the right direction. Of course, it’s only a deal if it actually works, so a big part of the project has also been verifying the design’s ability to filter particles out of the air in a timely manner.
https://github.com/Kels316/DIY-Air-Purifier
Tomi Engdahl says:
Tumble Polisher Smooths Parts With Ease
https://hackaday.com/2020/01/21/tumble-polisher-smooths-parts-with-ease/
When you’re 3D printing parts, it’s easy to create pieces with all manner of complex geometry. However, you’re often stuck dealing with unsightly layer lines and other surface imperfections. [reitter_m] chooses to get around this through the use of a tumble polisher of his own design.
The polisher uses a drum made out of a glass jar sourced from IKEA. A 3D printed gear is printed to size, and then fitted around the outside. This allows the drum to be turned by a motor fitted into the base of a 3D printed cradle. A simple gear motor is used to spin the drum nice and slowly, powered by a 12 V, 500 mA supply.
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3666116
Tomi Engdahl says:
Experiments In Soft Robotics
https://hackaday.com/2020/01/19/experiments-in-soft-robotics/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Inputs Of Interest: Tongues For Technology
https://hackaday.com/2020/01/21/inputs-of-interest-tongues-for-technology/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2020/01/21/a-kill-cord-to-end-laptop-skulduggery/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2020/01/18/how-to-grow-almost-anything/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Car Alternators Make Great Electric Motors; Here’s How
https://hackaday.com/2020/01/16/car-alternators-make-great-electric-motors-heres-how/
Tomi Engdahl says:
An Open Source Toolbox For Studying The Earth
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/13/an-open-source-toolbox-for-studying-the-earth/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Jubilee: A Toolchanging Homage To 3D Printer Hackers Everywhere
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/14/jubilee-a-toolchanging-homage-to-3d-printer-hackers-everywhere/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Aging Alcohol In 30 Minutes
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/14/aging-alcohol-in-30-minutes/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Detecting Water Before It’s Too Late
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/14/detecting-water-before-its-too-late/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Needling Your Projects: 3D Printed PCB Probing Jig Uses Accupuncture Needles
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/15/needling-your-projects-3d-printed-pcb-probing-jig-uses-accupuncture-needles/
Trying to probe a modern electronic circuit with tiny SMD components, without letting the magic smoke escape in the process, can be quite a challenge. Especially since we hackers have not yet developed the number of appendages required to hold 3 different probes in place while operating both an oscilloscope and a computer. [Giuseppe Finizia] solved this problem with a 3D printed PCB probing jig that uses acupuncture needles.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qH2_WdWDtvQ&feature=emb_logo
Tomi Engdahl says:
Quick And Dirty Digital Conversion For Analog SLR
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/14/quick-and-dirty-digital-conversion-for-analog-slr/
The unarguable benefits of digital photography has rendered the analog SLR obsolete for most purposes. This means that a wide selection of cameras and lenses are available on the second hand market for pennies on the dollar, making them ripe targets for hacking. [drtonis] decided to experiment with a quick and easy digital conversion to an old Canon A-1, and it’s got us excited about the possibilities.
It’s a simple hack, but a fun one. The SLR is opened up, and the spring plate for holding the film is removed. A Raspberry Pi camera then has its original lens removed, and is placed inside the film compartment. It’s held in with electrical tape, upon a 3mm shim to space it correctly to work with the original optics.
https://www.instructables.com/id/Convert-Analog-Camera-to-partially-Digital/
Tomi Engdahl says:
DIY programmable (SCPI) bench power supply
Bridging the gap between professional and DIY/hobbyist bench power
https://hackaday.io/project/9491-diy-programmable-scpi-bench-power-supply
Tomi Engdahl says:
Object Tracking Camera Slider Gets The Nice Shots
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/24/object-tracking-camera-slider-gets-the-nice-shots/
Tomi Engdahl says:
If You Need A Measurement Tool Just Build A Measurement Tool
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/23/if-you-need-a-measurement-tool-just-build-a-measurement-tool/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Mike Harrison Knows Everything About LEDs
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/25/mike-harrison-knows-everything-about-leds/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Simple Acrylic Plates Make Kirlian Photography A Breeze
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/30/simple-acrylic-plates-make-kirlian-photography-a-breeze/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Building Your Own Tensegrity Structure
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/29/building-your-own-tensegrity-structure/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Dub Siren Synth Does It The Old School Way
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/29/dub-siren-synth-does-it-the-old-school-way/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Beer Keg Becomes High-Performance Pizza Oven
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/07/beer-keg-becomes-high-performance-pizza-oven/
Pizza varies all around the world, with several cities having put their own mark on the Italian dish. To make an authentic pie in the Neapolitan style requires extremely high temperatures in order to cook the pizza through in just a couple of minutes. Armed with a beer keg and some ingenuity, [AndrewW1977] got down to work, building a rig that could get the job done.
The build starts by cutting the keg in half. A series of zigzag steel pieces are welded inside, in order to give the refractory cement more surface area to stick to. With the cement poured and set, a handle was welded to the keg for ease of use, as well as a thermometer to monitor internal temperatures.
https://www.instructables.com/id/Beer-Keg-Pizza-Oven/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Upgrade Your Shades To Find Lost Items
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/07/upgrade-your-shades-to-find-lost-items/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Simple Pogo Programmer For ESP8266 Modules
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/07/simple-pogo-programmer-for-esp8266-modules/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Inkjet Printing On The Cheap With A Continuous Ink System
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/06/inkjet-printing-on-the-cheap-with-a-continuous-ink-system/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/edge-lit-ping-pong-paddle-lights-up-the-fight/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Burning Propane Beautifully Illustrates How A Tesla Valve Works
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/burning-propane-beautifully-illustrates-how-a-tesla-valve-works/
Tomi Engdahl says:
LED animation using only BJTs
How far can a multivibrator & some delay switches go?
https://hackaday.io/project/168724-led-animation-using-only-bjts
Tomi Engdahl says:
How To Design A Low Cost Probe-Oscilloscope
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/16/how-to-design-a-low-cost-probe-oscilloscope/
[Mark Omo] sends in his write up on the design of what should hopefully be a sub-$100 oscilloscope in a probe.
Many problems in engineering can be solved simply by throwing money at the them. It’s really when you start to apply constraints that the real innovation happens. The Probe-Scope Team’s vision is of a USB oscilloscope with 60MHz bandwidth and 25Msps.
https://hackaday.io/project/165964-60mhz-bandwidth-250msps-probe-scope
Tomi Engdahl says:
Kelly Heaton’s Artwork Blurs The Line Between Traditional And Electronic
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/16/kelly-heatons-artwork-blurs-the-line-between-traditional-and-electronic/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/reflection-on-a-decade-of-hackerspace-expansion/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/28/ben-krasnows-take-on-diy-air-bearings/